We currently have applications servers running as a single user with a single password with a GUI interface.
I want to be able to have multiple people remotely login as this user to have access the applications that are running. But I want to be able to see who is logging in so that I can audit who logged in at what time. What is the best way of being able to allow multiple users to access the same desktop? This does not occur simultaneously

1 Answer
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There is none - same desktop kills everything. The best you could do is RDP and then having people watch a session, that is shared, but that has a problem with control. Basically your approach of what an app server is is like 30 years behind the curve - and runs straight against how MS says things should be done.

An App should not run on a desktop for a server. Simple like that. But as a service. With control applications that possibly also can remote log into the app. Look at how all MS software does it. Running an app in a server on a desktop is where you go so far away from best practices that it then comes back and bites you.

This is just wrong; see my answer. (Well, I do agree that this is a bad way to set up an application server, but saying it's not possible, or has to be done over a shared RDP session is not correct.)
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HopelessN00b♦Feb 12 '13 at 20:27

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@HopelessN00b that gives you a nice indication who logged on, but how do you ensure they get the same desktop?
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TomTomFeb 12 '13 at 20:33

Can you please provide how applications should be run. An article to Microsoft would help. Instead of bashing you can give me suggestions.
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jengleeFeb 12 '13 at 20:34

Well, I may suggest you start this by reading my answer. I clearly state how things should be programmed. And it is not bashing. You violate windows design guidelines then ask for a way to fix that by violating remote desktop design principles - sadly the later won't work. Just won't work.
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TomTomFeb 12 '13 at 20:35

Well, that's what I want to avoid. As I don't write the applications. I just administer them. Thanks though
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jengleeFeb 12 '13 at 20:40